The team and supporters have to put the Chelsea disappointment behind them and win this match against Blackburn. It's tough, but I would love to give Big Sam's boys a right kicking! Reina Arbeloa - Carragher - Hyypia - Insua Mascherano - Alonso Kuyt - Gerrard - Babel Torres
The only thing I wasn't sure on was who to start at right wing. If Kuyt starts, then Benayoun will start at Chelsea. If Benayoun starts, then Kuyt will start at Chelsea. Who knows what Rafa is thinking. I would like to see Agger at least a little bit in the next two matches, but I have a feeling he will be playing in the Chelsea match. Can we just kill them? Please?
I think you're right that Yossi will start away to Chelsea...his work in-between the lines will take a lot of pressure off Gerrard and if Dossena is given a chance, we will have someone constantly bombarding down that left-flank. Agger to start both matches...he deserves a chance when his central defensive teammates play so badly...Drogba completely dominated both Skrtel and Carragher. Despite not going on international duty, Aurelio looked completely f***ed, whether it was mental we wont know but Insua and Doss should at least be given a chance, especially since Aurelio gave Riera zero support. Insua and Riera has actually looked to be our best left-sided partnership, despite Aurelio's form warranting his #1 LB status. Arbs has to play both, but hopefully he'll be subbed out early to give him a break for the Chelsea away leg. Lucas deserves another go against Blackburn, while Masch should be a definite. Giving Yossi and Babel a chance to see which one will start against Chelsea would be good also. vs Blackburn Reina Arbeloa - Carragher - Agger - Insua Lucas - Masch Kuyt/Yossi - Gerrard - Babel Torres vs Chelsea Reina Arbeloa - Carragher - Agger - Dossena Alonso - Masch Kuyt - Gerrard - Yossi Torres All we can do is hope YNWA
I'm glad this match is early. I hope they can go back to playing actual football and get the three points. In.
Big Sam will have some surprises for us, I'm sure, but Rafa needs to get the lads turned around and get back to running the train on teams. Post up five here and nailing three at the Bridge won't seem like a, well, bridge too far.
1. come out guns blazing like we did @ Fulham - but of course put the game away early allowing you to pull some key players. 2. Agger to start both Blackburn and Chelsea (as grinners said) - has to be done. Skrtel looks a bit off after the England game. 3. Babel, Masch and Insua to start. --- Santa Cruz might still be out.
Reina Arbeloa Carragher Agger Insua Kuyt Masch Alonso Riera Gerrard TorresSubs: Cavalieri, Babel, Benayoun, Dossena, Skrtel, Lucas, N'Gog.
reina arbs... carra... agger... insua benny... masch... xabi... riera torres... babel read this morning that stevie's groin is trouble again... pretty sure he'll miss this one... link
Saw that as well... If Gerrard is out, then Benayoun takes his spot in the center. ----------------------Reina---------------------- Arbeloa-------Carragher----Hyypia----------Insua ------------Mascherano----Alonso--------------- Kuyt----------------Benayoun--------------Babel ----------------------Torres--------------------- Hopefully we can get a 2,3 goal lead by halftime, and then rest Torres, Carragher, and Arbeloa.
I totally agree with all three points, specially the second one. Skertel has been less than impressive for a while, and i think Agger deserves his chance.
It'd be good to see Agger start, Skrtel hasn't played his best football lately. A nice 3 goal or so margin would help instill some confidence for the CL game. I thought Dossena looked threatening against Fulham and has been in good form lately. He deserves a few more starts in my book, especially with the poor game Aurelio played against Chelsea. ----------------------Reina---------------------- Arbeloa-------Carragher----Agger---------Dossena ------------Mascherano----Alonso--------------- Kuyt----------------Benayoun--------------Babel ----------------------Torres---------------------
-----Reina----- Arb-Carra-Agger-Insua or Arb-Sami-Agger-Insua Why not sami on the back line? He used to be a captain for the team, hes got bags of leadership. I think we can all agree Skrt needs a rest, Sami should get a run-out, (35 isnt that old, look at giggs, and good ol' neville!) and Carra looks tired. So either start carra and sub him, or don't start him at all. now the midfield. Masch and Alonso, and Lucas for Alonso if not fit, or to sub later. Kuyt and Babel for the wings, or maybe Doss again? If Doss starts over Babel though, I'd feel bad for the kid =/ Riera does not deserve the start, though, for sure. Benny for the middle slot, or maybe go for two strikers? If we want to open them up and score, without gerro we should use two strikers. Their attack shouldn't be that threatning to need a stacked midfield, and besides Gerro plays like a second striker anyways. In that case benny on the right, Kuyt and Torres for striking. That'll help babel get a good start on the left, and we'll have great attack. Frankly though, I'm too indecisive to pick formations, lol
Im sorry...did I just read that? Are you talking about Phil Neville who at least is contributing for Everton, or are you talking about Gary Neville, that hack from east of Stanley Park who would struggle against the likes of Gerardo Bruna, Vincent Weijl etc? Anyway...I agree with your line-up. It would be great if we could start with Arbs-Sami-Agger-Insua and then sub Carra in for Arbs in the 2nd half just to give Arbs a break.
I was talking about the wonderful Gary Neville whose fine contributions have been two for Villa and one for Porto (even though he did have a hard decision for the Porto game) It was tongue and cheek mate, dont fret =P
No worries...after a really good post in this or the Chelsea thread, I thought maybe you were either a) going crazy, b) booze had just started to sink in or c) your computer was taken over by a manc loving idiot. They're all viable options